Presidents of India

The President of India is the head
of state and first citizen of India. President is
popularly known in Hindi as Rashtrapati, a
Sanskrit neologism meaning "lord of the realm".The
President is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian
Armed Forces. Although the president is vested such
powers by the constitution of India, the position is
largely a ceremonial role and the executive powers are
de facto exercised by the Cabinet Ministers and Prime
Minister.

The President is elected by the Electoral College
composed of elected members of the parliament houses,
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and also members of the
Vidhan Sabha, the state legislative assemblies. Though
the President of India is a constituent part of
Parliament, he does not sit or participate in the
discussions in either of the two Houses. There are
certain constitutional functions which he has to perform
with respect to Parliament.

The President may remain in office for a tenure of
five years, as stated by article 56, part V, of the
constitution of India. In the case where a president's
term of office is terminated early or during the absence
of the president, the vice president assumes office. The
President may be removed before the expiry of the term
through impeachment. A President can be removed for
violation of the Constitution of India.

Eligibilty Creteria :

A citizen of India

35 years of age or above

Qualified to become a member of the Lok Sabha

A person shall not be eligible for election as
President if he holds any office of profit under the
Government of India or the Government of any State
or under any local or other authority subject to the
control of any of the said Governments.

Certain office-holders, however, are permitted
to stand as Presidential candidates. These are:
The current Vice President.The Governor of any
State.A Minister of the Union or of any State
(Including Prime Minister and Chief Ministers).

Constitutional functions of the President :

The President invites the leader of the
majority party to form the Government after a new
Lok Sabha is duly elected.

The President nominates 12 members of the Rajya
Sabha and has the right to nominate two members from
the Anglo Indian community to the Lok Sabha if they
are under-represented.

On the advice of the Executive, the President
summons the two Houses of Parliament to meet from
time to time.

The President has the power to call both Houses
for a joint sitting in case a dispute arises over
passing a Bill. In the joint sitting, the matter is
decided by majority vote.

The President has the right to address either or
both Houses of Parliament.

The President has the power to discontinue a
session in the two Houses and dissolve the Lok
Sabha.

The President has the power to appoint the
Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of Rajya
Sabha on an interim basis.

The President has to agree to sign a Bill before
it can become a law.

If the Houses are not in session, the President
can enact or promulgate Ordinances having the
same validity as a law passed in Parliament.